Federal Direct Loans for Student and Parents

SDSU participates in the Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct Loan) Program, which provides long-term, low-interest loans borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education for you and your parents, if you are a dependent student.

Loans may be included as part of your financial aid award and provide you with the opportunity to borrow funds to meet your educational expenses.

Federal Direct Loans at SDSU

SDSU offers 4 federal Direct Loan options plus the Perkins Loan.

Subsidized—No interest or payments while you are enrolled at least half time (undergraduate students only).

Unsubsidized—Interest charged while you are enrolled.

Grad PLUS—For graduate students after all other loans are awarded.

Parent PLUS—A loan parents may borrow to help with your educational expenses.

To find out if you have loan eligibility, check your financial aid award on AidLink. Your loan award may include—

Loan Glossary

Principal balance – the amount of a loan at any given time. Capitalized interest may be included.

Interest – the expense of borrowing money that is calculated as a percentage of the amount borrowed.

Accrue - The amount of interest that accumulates over time.

Capitalization –unpaid interest added to the loan principal, which increases the principal amount of the loan and its total cost.

Deferment – a postponement of payment on a loan that is allowed under certain conditions during which interest does not accrue for subsidized loans.

Grace period – a 6-month period before the first principal payment must be made on a subsidized or unsubsidized loan. The grace period begins the day after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time.

Note: the grace period interest subsidy is temporarily eliminated on subsidized loan amounts borrowed July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2014. Interest will accrue and capitalize if not paid during the loan's grace period.

Loan fee – an expense of borrowing a loan; it is deducted from the loan amount thus reducing the amount of funds received at each disbursement.

Repayment – the period during which a borrower is obligated to make payment on his or her loan(s).

Federal Direct Student Loans
- Subsidized and Unsubsidized

Loan Components

Subsidized Loan: Based on financial need

Unsubsidized Loan: Not based on financial need

Enrollment Requirement

Must enroll at least half time

Must enroll at least half time

Loan Fee

1.072% of the amount borrowed of a loan first disbursed after
December 1, 2013 and before October 1, 2014

1.073% of the amount borrowed of a loan first disbursed on or after October 1, 2014

1.072% of the amount borrowed of a loan first disbursed after
December 1, 2013 and before October 1, 2014

1.073% of the amount borrowed of a loan first disbursed on or after October 1, 2014

Interest Rate:
Undergraduate Student

Interest rates are subject to change every July 1

4.66% fixed rate on loans funded July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015

If you received your first Direct Loan after July 1, 2013, you will be charged interest once you have completed 150% of your undergraduate program but have not graduated. Read more about this subsidized eligibility limit.

Interest rates are subject to change every July 1

4.66% fixed rate on loans funded July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015

Interest Rate:
Teaching Credential Student

Interest rates are subject to change every July 1

4.66% fixed rate on loans funded July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015

Interest rates are subject to change every July 1

4.66% fixed rate on loans funded July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015

Interest Rate:
Graduate Student

There are no federally subsidized loans for graduate students on amounts borrowed after June 30, 2012

Interest rates are subject to change every July 1

6.21% fixed rate on loans funded July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015

Capitalized Interest

No interest is charged while enrolled at least half time.

If you received your first Direct Loan after July 1, 2013, you will be charged interest once you have completed 150% of your undergraduate program but have not graduated. Read more about this subsidized eligibility limit.

Interest is charged from the date the funds are disbursed and capitalizes if not paid

Credit History

Not required

Not required

Repayment

Begins 6 months (your grace period) after you cease to be enrolled at least half time

Begins 6 months (your grace period) after you cease to be enrolled at least half time

Grace Period

A 6-month period before the first payment must be made

Interest accrues and will capitalize if not paid during the grace period of loans borrowed July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2014

A 6-month period before the first principal payment must be made

Interest accrues and will capitalize if not paid during the grace period

Federal Direct Grad PLUS and Parent PLUS Loans

Loan Components

Grad PLUS Loan

Parent PLUS Loan

Enrollment Requirement

Must enroll at least half time

Must enroll at least half time

Loan Fee

4.288% of the amount borrowed of a loan first disbursed after December 1, 2013 and before October 1, 2014

4.292% of the amount borrowed of a loan first disbursed on or after October 1, 2014

4.288% of the amount borrowed of a loan first disbursed after December 1, 2013 and before October 1, 2014

4.292% of the amount borrowed of a loan first disbursed on or after October 1, 2014

Interest Rate:

Interest rates are subject to change every July 1

7.21% fixed rate on loans funded July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015

Interest rates are subject to change every July 1

7.21% fixed rate on loans funded July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015

Capitalized Interest

Interest is charged from the date
the funds are disbursed and capitalizes if not paid

Interest is charged from the date
the funds are disbursed and capitalizes if not paid

Borrowing Limits

Graduate student can borrow up to his/her cost of attendance excluding other financial aid, resources and the annual loan limit

Parent can borrow up to the student's cost of attendance excluding other financial aid, resources and the student's annual subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan eligibility

Parent can borrow to pay for student's educational expenses IF the student is a dependent undergraduate enrolled at least half time

Credit History

Acceptable credit required

Acceptable credit required

Repayment

Usually begins within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed (typically the spring term).

On loans borrowed on or after July 1, 2009: You may request a deferment while enrolled at least half time at an eligible school. Interest accumulates and capitalizes while in deferment.

Usually begins within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed (typically the spring term).

On loans borrowed on or after July 1, 2008: Parent may request deferment of repayment while the student is enrolled at least half time. Interest accumulates and capitalizes while in deferment.

Annual Direct Loan Limits by Class Level

Class Level

Dependent

Independent

Freshman:
0-29 units

$5,500
If qualified $3,500 may be in
subsidized loans

If Parent PLUS Loan is denied, you may borrow an additional $4,000 in unsubsidized loans

$9,500
If qualified $3,500 may be in
subsidized loans

Sophomore:
30-59 units

$6,500
If qualified $4,500 may be in
subsidized loans

If Parent PLUS Loan is denied, you may borrow an additional $4,000 in unsubsidized loans

$10,500
If qualified $4,500 may be in
subsidized loans

Junior:
60-89 units

$7,500
If qualified $5,500 may be in
subsidized loans

If Parent PLUS Loan is denied, you may borrow an additional $5,000 in unsubsidized loans

$12,500
If qualified $5,500 may be in
subsidized loans

Senior:
90+ units

$7,500
If qualified $5,500 may be in
subsidized loans

If Parent PLUS Loan is denied, you may borrow an additional $5,000 in unsubsidized loans

$12,500
If qualified $5,500 may be in
subsidized loans

Teaching Credential

$5,500
Subsidized and or unsubsidized loans

If Parent PLUS Loan is denied, you may borrow an additional $5,000 in unsubsidized loans

$12,500
If qualified $5,500 may be in
subsidized loans

Graduate/Doctoral

Not applicable

$20,500 for most graduate programs.

$33,000 for students in the Public Health master's degree program.

$33,000 for
students in the Clinical Psychology joint doctoral program.

Graduating Senior Loan Proration

Generally, you may borrow an amount up to your maximum annual loan limit as long as the amount does not exceed your cost of attendance minus other financial aid and resources. However, if you are a graduating senior, the amount you are eligible to borrow is reduced in certain situations.

If you are a graduating senior, you may not be able to receive the full annual amount of your subsidized and unsubsidized direct loans.

If the time needed to complete your degree is shorter than an academic year, meaning you will graduate at the end of the fall semester, we must prorate your loan based on the number of units for which you are enrolled.

In some cases, your loan amount must be prorated if you are graduating at the end of summer session.

Subsidized Eligibility Limited to 150% of your Undergraduate Program

If you borrowed a Direct Loan for the first time on or after July 1, 2013, there is a limit on the maximum period of time (measured in academic years, not units completed) that you can receive Subsidized Direct Loans.

Federal Perkins Loan

A Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest loan (5%) for eligible undergraduate and graduate students who have exceptional financial need. SDSU is the lender on the Perkins Loan. The loan is made from limited SDSU and federal government funds.

By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, you are automatically considered for a Federal Perkins Loan. Due to limited funds, not all who qualify will receive an award. Instructions on how to accept this loan will be available through AidLink if the loan is part of your award.

Repayment begins 9 months after you are no longer enrolled at least half time. Depending on the amount you owe, payments may be extended up to 10 years. Unlike Federal Direct Loans, Perkins Loan borrowers do not have a choice of repayment options.

Repaying Your Loans

For Federal Direct Loans, there are several different repayment options that can help you manage your debt. The amount you pay each month and how long you take to repay your loans will vary depending on the repayment plan you select.

Refer to Repayment Plans and Calculators at the U. S. Department of Education Web site for more information. Using their online calculators you can estimate your repayment amount under each of the different plans to find one that’s right for you. You may request a different repayment plan anytime to help with your current financial situation.

The online calculators not only help you select a repayment plan when it is time to begin repaying your student loans, but the calculators also help you decide how much to borrow for your degree and career objective.

Loan Deferment

Federal student loans have certain conditions under which you may postpone repayment. You may be able to postpone repayment while you are—

enrolled in school at least half time;

on active duty in the military;

temporarily unemployed or disabled, or;

volunteering for certain qualifying organizations.

For some loans, interest continues to accrue during authorized deferment periods. The accrued interest is added to the principal amount (capitalization) and increases the total amount you must repay. Or, you may pay the accumulating interest while you qualify to defer repaying the principal balance.

Loan Cancellation Options

Under certain conditions you may be able to have a portion of your loan balance canceled for your qualifying service.

Options for Volunteers

You may be eligible for loan deferment or cancellation under the provisions of the Peace Corps Act, the Domestic Volunteer Services Act of 1973, and comparable service as a volunteer within a tax-exempt organization active in community service.

Consolidation Loan

A Consolidation Loan can help you (and your parents, if they borrowed for you) simplify loan repayment by combining several types of federal student loans into one. The repayment process is simpler.

You make only one payment a month.

The interest rate on the Consolidation Loan might be lower than what you are currently paying on your current loans.

*Note: Not all certificate programs, or students attending, are eligible for financial aid programs, including private loans. Students admitted and attending only through the College of Extended Studies are not eligible.

Alternative Loan Counseling

Each year you request an alternative loan, you must complete Alternative Loan Counseling on AidLink before we will certify your loan. When the lender you select sends your loan to us to certify, you will be able to select a link from your AidLink "Incomplete and Outstanding Documents" and complete the 15-minute online counseling session.

Report the alternative loan:

An alternative loan, certified or not certified by SDSU, is a resource that you must report to this office. We coordinate your alternative loan with other aid you may be receiving.

Your aid award, including your alternative loan, cannot be more than the cost of attendance.

If you receive an alternative loan after receiving other financial aid for the semester, you may be required to repay some or all of the aid you receive. The total of all financial aid and other resources cannot exceed your cost of attendance.

When to apply

Complete the FAFSA each year after January 1. The information you supply on the FAFSA will tell us if you qualify for any state or federal aid, including federal Direct Loans.

Do NOT apply for the fall semester alternative loan until after July 1. We do not begin alternative loan processing for the academic year until August.

Choosing an alternative loan lender

You may choose any lender you wish. We do not recommend or endorse any particular lender.

To get you started, we offer these guidelines to help you determine which, if any, alternative lender you select.

Avoid deceptive offers: Follow the advice from the nation's consumer protection agency on how to spot and avoid deceptive offers and practices from private education loan lenders.

Contact your bank first: Contact the bank or credit union you use for your personal banking needs. Compare the terms of their loans with others that you research.

Lender should provide customary banking services: Choose a bank or credit union that offers checking/savings accounts, credit cards and different types of loans.

Banks are governed by banking industry regulations helping to make their practices more consistent and stable.

Choose a lender that has been in business for a long time: You will be doing business with the lender for the next 5 to 20 years (until the loan is paid in full) and may want to choose a lender that has been in the community at least that long.

Choose a lender that services its own loans:

Ask the lender if the product is their own loan or if they are just reselling a loan that is actually serviced or guaranteed by another lender or agency.

Ask if they will service the loan until it is paid in full, or if they sell their promissory notes to another lender or loan servicing agency after collecting the loan processing fees. You should know with whom you will be doing business, now and when you repay your loan.

Private vs. federal loan terms: Compare private loan terms with the terms of the Federal Parent PLUS Loan. A PLUS is less expensive and has better repayment terms.

Federal regulation now allows parent borrowers to defer repayment on PLUS loans made after July 1, 2008, while their student is enrolled at least half time.

You will pay less interest over time with the Federal Parent PLUS Loan fixed interest rate.

Avoid high processing costs: Compare loan processing fees as well as annual percentage rates. The processing fees vary from lender to lender and some can be as high as 20% of the loan. A loan with a low interest rate but high fees can sometimes cost more than a loan with no fees but a higher interest rate. Look for a lender that does not charge any processing fees.

Repayment time or prepayment penalties: The time required to repay the total amount varies.

Does the lender offer repayment options? A longer repayment term increases the total amount of interest paid even though the annual percentage rate may be lower than one with a shorter repayment term.

Know your lender: Compare the loan terms from the lenders you research. As a borrower of a private consumer loan, it is your responsibility to research and examine the terms and conditions offered by each lender. Points to consider—

Lenders require a credit check and most require a cosigner.

Interest rates vary from lender to lender and often depend on your or your cosigner’s credit score.

The lender may or may not offer deferment or a grace period before repayment begins. Remember, with private loans, interest continues to accumulate and may capitalize during deferment.

Alternative loan disbursement

When SDSU processes an alternative loan, the information is sent to your lender. Lenders are advised that no loan funds will be disbursed prior to the beginning of each term.

SDSU will only disburse funds for an alternative loan if —

you are an SDSU student enrolled at least half time;

you complete a FAFSA, which enables us to determine any federal and state financial aid that may be available to you;

you are listed as the borrower on the loan and payment is made only to you (or co-payable to you and SDSU),

SDSU does not participate in private loan programs that allow parents or third parties to borrow a loan on behalf of the student; and

the alternative loan will be deposited directly to your designated bank account after SDSU fees are paid.

You Must Report a Private Loan to SDSU

The total of your private loan, financial aid, and other resources, cannot exceed your cost of attendance.

Non-school certified alternative loans

There are student loans that do not require completion and signature by a school's financial aid officer. You might want to consider this type of loan if you—

are not a United States citizen or permanent resident,

are not making satisfactory academic progress, or

are enrolled less than half time.

The requirements and terms vary from lender to lender, so carefully compare the terms of the lenders that you consider.

Reporting your alternative loan to SDSU

Whether an alternative loan is certified or not certified by SDSU, it is a resource that you must report to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

We will coordinate your alternative loan with the other aid you are receiving. If you receive an alternative loan after receiving other financial aid for the semester, you may be required to repay some or all of the aid you receive.

The total of all financial aid and other resources cannot exceed your cost of attendance.

Useful Web Sites

The Federal Student Aid Web site includes online repayment plan calculators to help you figure out what your payments could be before you commit to borrowing.